One-day specialists boost Sri Lanka

One of Sri Lanka's biggest frustrations during the Test series was their inability to call up Lasith Malinga to spearhead the attack, despite him already being in Australia, and in wicket-taking form. The possibility of a Malinga Test comeback was floated repeatedly, but team management maintained he was not fit enough for five-day cricket, though at times, they were hopeful he might eventually return in whites.

They will no longer be without their most penetrative bowler though, with Malinga having joined the Sri Lanka squad on Tuesday, after completing his stint with the Melbourne Stars. He has been the standout bowler of the Big Bash League in the last month, taking a tournament-high 13 wickets, while his average of 10.69 and his economy rate of 4.96 are both the best in the league for any bowler with more than five scalps.

Allrounder Jeevan Mendis said Malinga's arrival in the team had already boosted the side, and that he and the other limited-overs specialists will likely inject energy into Sri Lanka's Australian campaign. In addition to Malinga's BBL exploits, he was also 2012's highest wicket-taker in ODIs.

"Any team would like to have Malinga," Mendis said. "Having him in the one day team is a great opportunity for us to do well, and it also gives us confidence. With Malinga coming in and some other guys from Sri Lanka like Akila Dananjaya, and Upul Tharanga, we have a better chance of doing well in ODIs than we did in the Tests."

Though Dananjaya, Tharanga and Ajantha Mendis just arrived in Australia, both Jeevan Mendis and Thisara Perera have been playing in the BBL, while Nuwan Kulasekara, who has been in Australia with the Test team, is expected to recover from a cracked rib in time for the first ODI. If Kulasekara plays, he will complete a much more formidable attack than the bowling unit that struggled in the Tests, with four bowlers in the squad who have already had a taste of the conditions.

"I have been playing for the Sydney Sixers, with whom I have a contract for four games, and that helped me get used to playing here," Mendis said. "To come to Australia and play is a difficult task. It's one of the best teams in the world, but if we take a look at the last few years, Sri Lanka have been doing well in ODIs and Twenty20s."

Encouragingly for Sri Lanka, they have won more matches than they have lost against the hosts in their last two limited-overs series in Australia. Sri Lanka were beaten in the finals of last year's tri-series, but defeated Australia in four matches from seven in that tournament, while in 2010, Sri Lanka won a three-match bilateral series.

Mendis said Sri Lanka's versatile ODI squad, which can contain up to three allrounders in Mendis, Perera and Angelo Mathews, would give the visitors the edge in the upcoming series as well. "It was a great series to beat Australia here in 2010. It gives us confidence going into the ODIs. With the number of players we have that can both bat and bowl, we can do something good. We are good enough to win again. We need to forget about the Tests and focus on the ODIs and Twenty20s."

This will be Sri Lanka's second ODI series under the new rules, which do not allow more than four fielders outside the 30-yard circle at any time in the game. The visitors prospered in their first dalliance with the new laws, winning a rain-affected series against New Zealand 3-0, and Mendis said Sri Lanka had since stopped thinking about the new rule as a limitation.

"We are not used to it, but in one way it's good for a spinner, because it allows us to bring the field in and gives a little more opportunity to get wickets. We're thinking about the positive side about what we can do with the new rule. The first time it was difficult to bowl with the five fielders in, but as time went on, we thought it was a good opportunity for the bowlers to get some wickets. With the new rule, you have to be perfect as a spinner and you have to be smart about the field."

@Sinhya on (January 09 2013, 04:41 AM GMT) - Malinga certainly changes the dynamics for SL. I think the ODIs will be about who's bowlers does the most damage. SL have Malinga, & Eranga was very good against Oz in Sri Lanka last year, then there is your mystery spinners. For Oz, we have Starc & McKay who have career S/Rates superior to Malinga! Throw in MJ we have plenty of pace credibility - PLUS Cutting, who I think could develop into a class strike bowling allrounder. For spin, I think unlike SL - our spin options are just for variety & a bit of containment. We could have about 3 decent part timers playing in the one game (Maxwell,Smith & Huss). I can't wait to get a look at Dananjaya & Flick Mendis! Hope the series is a good one!

POSTED BY
RiznyF
on | January 9, 2013, 5:12 GMT

Very true... The three allrounders (Mendis, Mathews and Perera) and Kulasekera's inclusion will definitely give Lanka a huge advantage. All the best guys.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 1:35 GMT

Malinga is likely to be successful this series, because Aus players are inexperienced and Australia suits his style of bowling. Add to that, the two mystery spinners and this is likely to be a closely fought series IF SL bat reasonably. Without 2012's leading run scorer, Sanga, it's going to be tough.

POSTED BY
maddy20
on | January 9, 2013, 19:34 GMT

Yes the ODI team does look very competetive. Hoping for a good , closely contested series.

POSTED BY
Lord.emsworth
on | January 9, 2013, 17:54 GMT

I have castigated and deplored SL's Test team that spinelessly lost the Test series 3/0 but this ODI team is one of the best in the business. Sri Lanka should easily wrap up the series if they play to their potential.The bowling is on a different frequency with Malinga & the spinners and the batting is very deep unlike the Test team who were practically all out after the 5th wicket...

POSTED BY
RandyOZ
on | January 9, 2013, 17:20 GMT

These 'ODI specialists' aka not good enough for test cricket players (which is especially embarrassing considering how poor Sri Lanka are in tests, including having never won one in Oz) will hardly have us shaking in our boots.

POSTED BY
miles100
on | January 9, 2013, 13:45 GMT

Let me point out something that many don't realize. Players like Munaweera, Karunaratne are certainly talented players.Issue is SL cricket authorities did not bring such great players to the national side as soon after they completed their under19 cricket. Debuting at Age-23 & 24 is too old for majority of the SL batsmen because of poor club standards in SL.They wasted 2-3 years of good cricket.Late comers to SL team from SL clubs will score 85 runs in one or two innings out of 10-15 innings and the rest of the matches they struggle.Also when they come late to the side, they lack match winning ability even if they score runs.If we take players like Perera, Chandimal or Mathews, they have more match winning ability as they came to the side soon after U19cricket.What I'm trying to also say is about a confident factor here & I'm not saying these 3 players are talented than Karunaratne or Munaweera. In many cases this is the reality if they don't bring them soon after u19 cricket.

POSTED BY
QingdaoXI
on | January 9, 2013, 12:37 GMT

Time to retire for Dishan from all format and Samerverra from Test, Let Chandimal and Thirrimanne play now in starting Xi and gain some experience and confidence with Sanga and Jaya, So team Sri lanka can be ready for WC2015, and for tests matches. Where is that Munaveera Guy. I think he atleast deserves in t-20, whether Selctors will send him for t-20.

POSTED BY
TrueLankan
on | January 9, 2013, 10:21 GMT

@Sinhya: Mate that was no upset in the test series we were outplayed due to many factors.Australians have and always will play with all their heart and will not die wondering. Having said that this SL side is one of the best in the world and our records prove it. We have been consistently playing in the finals for a decade. I will only accept a 5-0 or 4-1 drubbing in the Mighty Lankans favour so we can even out what happened in the tests. Go Lanka Go.

POSTED BY
LALITHKURUWITA
on | January 9, 2013, 10:00 GMT

@Herath-UK. It is useless to the revenge. You cannot compare a club match with WC Final. It is simple, Malinga was hammered in WC Final.

POSTED BY
Meety
on | January 9, 2013, 5:16 GMT

@Sinhya on (January 09 2013, 04:41 AM GMT) - Malinga certainly changes the dynamics for SL. I think the ODIs will be about who's bowlers does the most damage. SL have Malinga, & Eranga was very good against Oz in Sri Lanka last year, then there is your mystery spinners. For Oz, we have Starc & McKay who have career S/Rates superior to Malinga! Throw in MJ we have plenty of pace credibility - PLUS Cutting, who I think could develop into a class strike bowling allrounder. For spin, I think unlike SL - our spin options are just for variety & a bit of containment. We could have about 3 decent part timers playing in the one game (Maxwell,Smith & Huss). I can't wait to get a look at Dananjaya & Flick Mendis! Hope the series is a good one!

POSTED BY
RiznyF
on | January 9, 2013, 5:12 GMT

Very true... The three allrounders (Mendis, Mathews and Perera) and Kulasekera's inclusion will definitely give Lanka a huge advantage. All the best guys.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 1:35 GMT

Malinga is likely to be successful this series, because Aus players are inexperienced and Australia suits his style of bowling. Add to that, the two mystery spinners and this is likely to be a closely fought series IF SL bat reasonably. Without 2012's leading run scorer, Sanga, it's going to be tough.

POSTED BY
maddy20
on | January 9, 2013, 19:34 GMT

Yes the ODI team does look very competetive. Hoping for a good , closely contested series.

POSTED BY
Lord.emsworth
on | January 9, 2013, 17:54 GMT

I have castigated and deplored SL's Test team that spinelessly lost the Test series 3/0 but this ODI team is one of the best in the business. Sri Lanka should easily wrap up the series if they play to their potential.The bowling is on a different frequency with Malinga & the spinners and the batting is very deep unlike the Test team who were practically all out after the 5th wicket...

POSTED BY
RandyOZ
on | January 9, 2013, 17:20 GMT

These 'ODI specialists' aka not good enough for test cricket players (which is especially embarrassing considering how poor Sri Lanka are in tests, including having never won one in Oz) will hardly have us shaking in our boots.

POSTED BY
miles100
on | January 9, 2013, 13:45 GMT

Let me point out something that many don't realize. Players like Munaweera, Karunaratne are certainly talented players.Issue is SL cricket authorities did not bring such great players to the national side as soon after they completed their under19 cricket. Debuting at Age-23 & 24 is too old for majority of the SL batsmen because of poor club standards in SL.They wasted 2-3 years of good cricket.Late comers to SL team from SL clubs will score 85 runs in one or two innings out of 10-15 innings and the rest of the matches they struggle.Also when they come late to the side, they lack match winning ability even if they score runs.If we take players like Perera, Chandimal or Mathews, they have more match winning ability as they came to the side soon after U19cricket.What I'm trying to also say is about a confident factor here & I'm not saying these 3 players are talented than Karunaratne or Munaweera. In many cases this is the reality if they don't bring them soon after u19 cricket.

POSTED BY
QingdaoXI
on | January 9, 2013, 12:37 GMT

Time to retire for Dishan from all format and Samerverra from Test, Let Chandimal and Thirrimanne play now in starting Xi and gain some experience and confidence with Sanga and Jaya, So team Sri lanka can be ready for WC2015, and for tests matches. Where is that Munaveera Guy. I think he atleast deserves in t-20, whether Selctors will send him for t-20.

POSTED BY
TrueLankan
on | January 9, 2013, 10:21 GMT

@Sinhya: Mate that was no upset in the test series we were outplayed due to many factors.Australians have and always will play with all their heart and will not die wondering. Having said that this SL side is one of the best in the world and our records prove it. We have been consistently playing in the finals for a decade. I will only accept a 5-0 or 4-1 drubbing in the Mighty Lankans favour so we can even out what happened in the tests. Go Lanka Go.

POSTED BY
LALITHKURUWITA
on | January 9, 2013, 10:00 GMT

@Herath-UK. It is useless to the revenge. You cannot compare a club match with WC Final. It is simple, Malinga was hammered in WC Final.

POSTED BY
Nathan_123
on | January 9, 2013, 9:50 GMT

Definitely SL has the advantage here. With the exclusion of Clark and Hussey and inclusion of Malinga and the other SL ODI specialist, I recon SL will just about clinch the serious. lets wait and see!

POSTED BY
LALITHKURUWITA
on | January 9, 2013, 9:46 GMT

@Sinhaya

Day-dreaming, Yes SL will be again runners-up in this ODI series.

POSTED BY
Herath-UK
on | January 9, 2013, 9:12 GMT

Malinga's bowling is awesome,anyone watching the BBL knows he stands out as the best in the business.How he took Samuel out with a deadly delivery, was his revenge to his beating he got from Samuel in the T20 Cup?Win or lose Sri Lanka have produced one of the best in the cricketing world and deserve credit.
Ranil Herath - Kent

POSTED BY
wrenx
on | January 9, 2013, 9:05 GMT

Australia's loss of Mike Hussey and Sri Lanka's inclusion of Malinga should certainly make this an interesting contest. There will be at least one game where Malinga is plundered for a bucket-load of runs, as there always is, but he can win them matches on his own, so it might swing in SL's favour.

POSTED BY
ajithabey
on | January 9, 2013, 8:28 GMT

Whatever happened to the promising munaweera?? I would have preferred to see him open with Tharanga .TM Dilshan could have strenthened the unpredictable middle order taking into account his Hand,Feet and Eye coordination has failed him against good fast bowling.Obvious when you are plus 36 yrs. like many of the other seniors.50 over is a different ball game as they all know compared to T20 and the less overs the older seniors bat may probably be better for the team. lets hope that our ODI batsman who have an total aggregate of around 950 plus matches could match upto the inexperienced aussie line up and malinga & the bowlers will deliver this time around as compared to disappointing performances in the recent past

POSTED BY
Viraj_Hewage
on | January 9, 2013, 7:54 GMT

It will be 3-2 for Sri Lanka.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 7:10 GMT

Good luck Sri Lanka. Give them some bad memories Malinga

POSTED BY
QingdaoXI
on | January 9, 2013, 7:04 GMT

Bailey disturbs the playing XI, becuase of him Australia cant play another all rounder or have to keep Finch out. Why Selectors named him captain god knows, hope he is sidelined soon. Need to wean new batsmen in this series.

POSTED BY
QingdaoXI
on | January 9, 2013, 7:00 GMT

Sri lanka no doubt will come good in ODIs, Ausis will miss Mike Hussey very much some one should take responsibility as early as possible. Australia should go with this XI: Warner, Finch, Hughes, Khawaja, D.Hussey, Bailey, Haddin, Johnson, Cutting, Strac, Doherty. @Sinhaya have you open new account and named in Sinhya or some one is using your name.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 6:59 GMT

preperations for the world t20 begin about 6 weeks before the tournement, real teams are thinking about WC 2015 which will be held in Australia around this time of year Sinhya.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 6:47 GMT

Should be a very interesting ODI series. With Australia missing the consistency of Clarke and Hussey, it will be good to see how their batters perform against some strong short-format SL bowlers in Malinga, Mendis, Pereira.

POSTED BY
Sinhaya
on | January 9, 2013, 6:22 GMT

Aussies no matter how depleted will come hard at us. We must play positively. I dont want to read into our last 10 ODIs in Australia against the Aussies. This is all new. Aussies will fight to the very end. Lets look forward to a great series.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 5:41 GMT

Aussies caused "an upset"? In what alternate universe is a loss by 137 runs, a loss by an innings & 201 runs, and a loss by 5 wickets "an upset"? Sri Lanka were obliterated, pure and simple. It doesn't do anyone any good to make excuses or come up with delusional theories about upsets.

Sure we lack in the pace department, but we always have, so doesnt change shit! Malinga and Perera on the new ball, Mathews the first change and we bamboozle the heck out off the inexperience Aussie batsmen with the 2 Mendis's and our X Factor- Akila Danajaya!

POSTED BY
Htc-Baseball
on | January 9, 2013, 4:41 GMT

We will rise, we will rise from the ashes, aussies caused an upset in the test series, but that is past now, we are the t20 runners up, our preparations to lift the trophy in 2014 begins here!!

POSTED BY
Meety
on | January 9, 2013, 5:16 GMT

@Sinhya on (January 09 2013, 04:41 AM GMT) - Malinga certainly changes the dynamics for SL. I think the ODIs will be about who's bowlers does the most damage. SL have Malinga, & Eranga was very good against Oz in Sri Lanka last year, then there is your mystery spinners. For Oz, we have Starc & McKay who have career S/Rates superior to Malinga! Throw in MJ we have plenty of pace credibility - PLUS Cutting, who I think could develop into a class strike bowling allrounder. For spin, I think unlike SL - our spin options are just for variety & a bit of containment. We could have about 3 decent part timers playing in the one game (Maxwell,Smith & Huss). I can't wait to get a look at Dananjaya & Flick Mendis! Hope the series is a good one!

POSTED BY
RiznyF
on | January 9, 2013, 5:12 GMT

Very true... The three allrounders (Mendis, Mathews and Perera) and Kulasekera's inclusion will definitely give Lanka a huge advantage. All the best guys.

POSTED BY
Htc-Baseball
on | January 9, 2013, 4:41 GMT

We will rise, we will rise from the ashes, aussies caused an upset in the test series, but that is past now, we are the t20 runners up, our preparations to lift the trophy in 2014 begins here!!

Sure we lack in the pace department, but we always have, so doesnt change shit! Malinga and Perera on the new ball, Mathews the first change and we bamboozle the heck out off the inexperience Aussie batsmen with the 2 Mendis's and our X Factor- Akila Danajaya!

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 5:41 GMT

Aussies caused "an upset"? In what alternate universe is a loss by 137 runs, a loss by an innings & 201 runs, and a loss by 5 wickets "an upset"? Sri Lanka were obliterated, pure and simple. It doesn't do anyone any good to make excuses or come up with delusional theories about upsets.

POSTED BY
Sinhaya
on | January 9, 2013, 6:22 GMT

Aussies no matter how depleted will come hard at us. We must play positively. I dont want to read into our last 10 ODIs in Australia against the Aussies. This is all new. Aussies will fight to the very end. Lets look forward to a great series.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 6:47 GMT

Should be a very interesting ODI series. With Australia missing the consistency of Clarke and Hussey, it will be good to see how their batters perform against some strong short-format SL bowlers in Malinga, Mendis, Pereira.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 6:59 GMT

preperations for the world t20 begin about 6 weeks before the tournement, real teams are thinking about WC 2015 which will be held in Australia around this time of year Sinhya.

POSTED BY
QingdaoXI
on | January 9, 2013, 7:00 GMT

Sri lanka no doubt will come good in ODIs, Ausis will miss Mike Hussey very much some one should take responsibility as early as possible. Australia should go with this XI: Warner, Finch, Hughes, Khawaja, D.Hussey, Bailey, Haddin, Johnson, Cutting, Strac, Doherty. @Sinhaya have you open new account and named in Sinhya or some one is using your name.

POSTED BY
QingdaoXI
on | January 9, 2013, 7:04 GMT

Bailey disturbs the playing XI, becuase of him Australia cant play another all rounder or have to keep Finch out. Why Selectors named him captain god knows, hope he is sidelined soon. Need to wean new batsmen in this series.